missions
KENYA ECUADOR COLOMBIA HAITI
December 2011 update:
A return PCCHF mission has been postponed at this time, due to internal administration issues at the Hospital San Andres.
March 2009, Tumaco, Colombia
The medical team consisted of ENT, ophthalmologists, plastics, pediatrics, an internist, 2 nurse specialists, and student volunteers who served as interpreters during patient screening.
FedEx was a huge donor and transported invaluable equipment from various locations in the U.S. to Colombia.
Alcon, Zeiss, and Medline donated essential supplies & equipment.
In 10 days, 1,000 patients were screened, and 231 surgical procedures performed:
Ophthalmology 173
ENT 30
Plastic Surgery 28
Primary care was given to 200 patients.
PCCHF referred 61 patients to the USNS Comfort, a hospital ship with a four-month deployment to South America bringing medical teams to provide a range of health care services ashore.
While this mission changed the lives of the patients treated, and sparked infinite gratitude from the community, it also restored optimism and faith in the nurses and doctors of Hospital San Andres.
Most of them had never seen doctors from other countries, and never heard anyone speak English.
The hospital nursing staff was extremely pleased for this unique professional and cultural experience.
September 2008, Tumaco, Colombia
Tumaco is a port city located on the southwestern coast of Colombia, bordering Ecuador. It is an island connected to the mainland and another island by bridges. Tumaco has about 150,000 residents, with an active Colombian military and American anti-drug presence.
Dr. Gustavo Cifuentes, a volunteer from June’s Ecuador mission, facilitated this advance trip to assess an ongoing program in Tumaco. His colleague Dr. Claudia Komaromy is one of three anesthesiologists in the community’s sole hospital, which has not had a significant North American mission in 20 years.
The advance team included Dr. Chester, Dr. Martinez and nurse Brigitte Smith. Military escorts were present at all times during this trip.
In medical briefings, the military base physician’s had initiated a pre-screening process two weeks prior to PCCHF’s team arrival. He listed 169 patients of all ages as surgical candidates.
A patient screening was organized at the Hospital San Andres during which our doctors saw about 100-120 patients; primarily eye cases, burn scars, and congenital cases. PCCHF team also met with the local ophthalmologist who agreed to screen pre-ops and see out post-op patients.
The physicians in attendance believe that all specialties including pediatrics and internal medicine will offer their service in a future mission.
A new hospital is under construction, but the existing facility is very short on almost all materials and supplies (monitors, surgical supplies, drugs etc.).
In brief summary, PCCHF has an excellent opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life for a significant part of the population in Tumaco.
upcoming
January 2012 Kenya
PCCHF’s US medical volunteers and surgical team in collaboration with local Nairobi ENT specialist Dr. Mujahid Din are scheduling a 10 day international mission to Malindi.
The mission’s focus will be ENT, Plastics, ophthalmology & pediatrics.
Knowledge transfer and training the local medical staff of the visiting hospital is expected.
Spring 2012, Tumaco, Colombia
A return mission is planned to the new hospital.
January 2008
The Paul Chester Children's Hope Foundation's future goals include liaising with local physicians and surgeons, nurses, and government officials to visit the facility with the intent of providing continuous local support and staffing. PCCHF will assume the role of collaboration, technology transfer, and possibly funding of full-time staff as the needs of the facility become better defined. In addition, we will work closely with the Catholic Mission and District Medical officers in coordinating treatment of difficult medical or social problems that may arise.
We have agreed to provide funds towards the installation of a solar-powered pump which will quadruple the pumping capacity of the existing well.
Future project planned to help fund the building of a pediatric ward for follow up infant care and for mothers who have just given birth.